Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Letter from Douglas Hudson to his parents

Catches up on mail sent and received and notes several letters seem to be going astray. He states he writes a letter a fortnight as well as occasional postcards and he is sending this one by airmail. He had also sent a cable. They get news by local papers but no radio. Lists letters received from other people. He writes there is not much he can tell them. They are allowed walks and he plays basket ball. He mentions sunburn and the weather. He says they cannot get too much mail and encourages anyone to write to him. He goes on with some philosophical points about captivity and freedom. Mentions financial arrangements and that there should have been an increase in their allotment. Requests if they have heard from the air ministry. He concludes by saying the weather and diet are good and should maintain his sense of humour.

1941-03-07

Two page handwritten letter

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EHudsonJDHudsonP-HE410307-01

[underlined] BRITISH PRISONER OF WAR [/underlined}

755052. SGT. CHEF. J. D. HUDSON.
CAMP DE SEJOUR SURVEILLE
LE KEF
TUNISIE
AFRIQUE DU NORD.
7-3-41.

My Dear Mother & Dad,

Since I wrote to you last fortnight I have received two letters from you dated 17th & 1st January, the former came first which just shows how unreliable the post is, & it would seem that several letters are going astray. I am glad to hear that you have received your letters from me up to June 1st, my last letter you say was Oct 10th. Since then I have written a letter every fortnight with one occasional p.c. where I could get hold of one. I am sending this letter by Air Mail, in the hope that it will get through quicker. I gave a cable to the authorities the other day to despatch to you, I do hope it was sent. I received yours of Feb 3rd on Feb 5th & was very delighted with it. I am glad to hear you are keeping well as I am. I hope everything will keep that way and I do assure you I am always thinking about you. I learn the news from the local paper but have no opportunity to hear anything by radio. That went by the board when we became Prisoners of War last October. During the last fortnight I received a letter each from Mrs Clayton, Miss Morton, Marjorie & Auntie D. perhaps in due course you could thank them for me. There is not much I can tell you really to avoid Blue Pencils. We are not permitted walks now & instead are allowed Basket Ball in the Camp, a strenuous game, rather like football but played by hand. Sounds a bit Irish, that - no? but you will understand. I have become fairly sun burned again because we had about 5 days of Blue Sky. Today has been cloudy but warm. The days are getting quite warm again but it gets cold at night, there is a very big difference when the sun sets, ie about 6.30pm. Recently we got different accommodation here, & now three of us share a room which is better. By this time temperaments have been sorted out & like are now more or less with like

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& we three get on well together. This life gives me plenty of scope to philosophise & we spend hours talking. We cannot receive too many letters out here, so anybody who feels like writing would not waste their time. I don't know how we shall fare when our freedom is restored, we often discuss what our reactions may be. Just think have not seen the inside of a Cinema for nearly seven months, or see running hot water or a carpet. Little things - may be, & taken for granted so much before. We three have done our utmost to civilise our room & get a certain amount of satisfaction from that. I wonder if you have had an increase in your allotment. I asked the American Consul in October to try & arrange it. I think I said increase it to 35/- weekly. One of our chaps has got it through as may be by now you will have. Have you had any communications from Air Ministry? I sometimes wonder if they think we are living on the fat of the land out here. Well, I suppose you would not think I was dying if you saw me now, the sun & the olive oil have their compensating effects. I think when I get out of here I shall be the perfect cynic with a broad - really broad sense of humour - if we can combine the two. Perhaps we cannot - but I shall try. I promise you both a perfect holiday when the times does come - we have a lot to make up, & home will definitely come first. Thank God for our memories, the sun has not yet set & before long we shall continue where we left off. I wish I could write longer letters but as I cannot the rest must be left to thoughts. I believe Tony is telling his mother about the abuse our Arab guards put up with. [triple underlined] They [/triple underlined] are not a bad lot, its not their fault. Well cheerio now, once again I send you all my love & best wishes. Until (underlined] the [/underlined] day arrives. Douglas.